January 2015

Miranda Hileman Combs, Editor Christy Cassady, Editor, Designer

What’s inside

Beekeeping schools .......... 2 High tunnel video ............ 4

Coming up Jan. 14-17 - SSAWG Conference, Mobile, AL. Click here for details. Jan. 16-18 - Winter bee workshop at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Road, Harrodsburg. Click here for details. Jan. 19-21 - OPGMA Conference, Sandusky, OH. Click here for details. Jan. 20-22 - KY Landscape Industries Winter Conference and Expo, Louisville. See program and registration form. Jan. 20-22 - Indiana Hort Congress, Indianapolis, IN. For details, click here. Jan. 24 - Eastern KY Winter Bee School, Hazard Community and Technical College. For more information, contact Charles May at [email protected]

KY growers can benefit from consumer demand for Asian produce By Miranda Combs, Senior Extension Associate

The U.S. fresh ethnic vegetable market has been steadily increasing over the past several years. In 2015, the U.S. ethnic foods market, including fresh produce, is projected to reach $2.7 billion. The popularity of Asian cuisine has continued to rise. The national trend is also seen in Kentucky. That is partly due to an increase in Kentucky’s Asian population; in 2014, there were approximately 50,000 Asian residents. The National Restaurant Association’s top appetizer trends for 2014 and 2015 included “ethnic/ street food-inspired appetizers.” This is great news for Kentucky vegetable growers, because there are market niche opportuPhoto by Rosie Lerner, Purdue nities for fresh Asian vegetables. Chinese cabbage Market opportunities exist in farmers markets, CSA programs, roadside stands, restaurants and specialty grocery stories. If you can, advertise at cultural centers and other locations where you know Asian folks will be - make sure they know what you are growing and when it will be available to them. It is a good practice to find out what your customers want before you even buy the seeds to start growing. Continued on Page 2

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND KENTUCKY COUNTIES, COOPERATING Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

Ethnic Vegetables: Asian http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CCD/introsheets/ asian.pdf Ethnic Vegetables: Hispanic http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CCD/introsheets/ hispanic.pdf Marketing Asian Produce in Kentucky http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CCD/marketing/ asianmarket.pdf

The 7th Industry

At the 2015 Kentucky Fruit and Vegetable Conference in early January, Dr. Jeong-Hyun An presented a concept to connect the U.S. local farming community’s effort to grow ethnic crops with Korea and Japan’s agri-food “6th industry.” The 6th industry in Korea and Japan is combining agriculture, food manufacturing, and the service industry to help farmers create new businesses and economic opportunities using their farm products. Dr. An, who has created and conceptualized the 7th Industry here in Kentucky, shared her vision that Kentucky farmers can commercially produce Asian and Hispanic vegetables to connect with Asian residents in Kentucky by working with the 6th industry support system in Asia. For more information, or to contact Dr. An about growing Asian vegetables, visit: http://7thindustry.org/.

Photos by John Strang, University of Kentucky

Daikon radish

Kentucky also has an advantage for producing Asian vegetables because we are on a similar latitude with much of Asia. In addition, many Kentucky growers are already familiar with growing cucurbits (melons), crucifers (cole crops), and legumes (beans). Common crops that Asian consumers are often looking for Kabocha squash include bitter melon, daikon radish, kabocha squash, yard long bean, bok choy, Asian eggplant, Asian pear, Napa cabbage, and Korean sweet potato. Asian vegetables are often used by each Asian country a little differently, so when you are marketing your produce, it is best to try to present the crop in a few languages (if possible) to appeal to all of your Asian buyers. Another great marketing method for selling Asian produce is to provide educational information about the vegetables as well as recipe cards that incorporate those vegetables and other products that you are selling. So, when you’re considering what to start growing for the coming season, don’t forget about ethnic vegetables. Ethnic markets can be profitable, are very concentrated and are growing!

Ten beekeeping schools scheduled in early 2015

Kentucky Department of Agriculture press release

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky beekeepers of all ages and skill levels may learn the basics or sharpen their skills at 10 beekeeping schools across the Commonwealth during January through March.

“Beekeeping is very important to agriculture in Kentucky, throughout the United States, and around the world,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “Honey bees are responsible for pollinating 30 percent of our food supply and 70 percent of all wildflowers. Sales of honey brought in an estimated $811,000 to Kentucky honey producers in 2012. The Kentucky Department of If you are interested in giving it a try, check out Agriculture is dedicated to supporting Kentucky’s our Center for Crop Diversification Profiles about beekeepers and encouraging more people to enter this vital and fascinating field.” ethnic vegetables to learn more: 2

The beekeeping education opportunities include: A winter bee workshop will be Jan. 16-18 at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, 3501 Lexington Road in Harrodsburg. The workshop includes tracks for beginner and advanced beekeepers. An Introduction to Beekeeping course will discuss how to start, equipment needed, and first-year disease and pest management. Topics in the advanced track are honey plants, growing your apiary, and marketing your honey. Cost is $75, which includes refreshments, lunch, door prizes, and a copy of “First Lessons in Beekeeping” by Keith S. Delaplane. For details, click here. The Eastern Kentucky Winter Bee School will be Jan. 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. EST at Hazard Community and Technical College. Cost is $25, which includes lunch, registration, and vendors. Welcome and keynote speaker will be Stephanie Tarwater, a Tennessee migratory beekeeper and former Florida bee inspector. Basic microscopy classes will be offered. Space is limited, and signups are necessary. Beekeepers and other eligible producers may sign up to join the Appalachia Proud marketing program during the bee school. To register, contact Perry Co. Extension agent Charles May at [email protected].

Photo by Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications Services

Beekeeping schools will be offered across Kentucky.

Backyard Beekeeping Series on Sundays, Feb. 8 through July 12, from 2-4 p.m. Eastern time. Cost is $20 for Bernheim members, $30 for nonmembers. Participants must be at least 7 years old, with children accompanied by an adult. Call (502) 955-8512 for reservations.

The Lake Cumberland Beekeepers Association will hold a multi-evening bee school Feb. 10 through April 14 from 6-8:30 p.m. Eastern time at The Allen County Beekeepers School will be the Pulaski County Extension Office, 28 Parkway Feb. 7 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CST at Allen County- Drive in Somerset. Cost is $25 and limited to Scottsville High School, 1545 Bowling Green 45 participants. For more information, email Road in Scottsville. Special speaker is Dr. Clarence [email protected] or call (606) 679-6361. Collison, formerly of Mississippi State University. Cost is $10 per person, $15 per couple, and $25 State Apiarist Tammy Horn of the Kentucky for FFA, Girl Scouts, or church groups. A catered Department of Agriculture will speak on “Bees barbecue lunch will be available for purchase. For and the Plants They Love” on Valentine’s Day, more information, contact John Benham, president Feb. 14, from 1-2:30 p.m. EST at Bernheim Forest’s of the Kentucky State Beekeepers Association, at Education Center near Clermont. Cost is $10 for Bernheim members, $12 for non-members. (270) 678-7924 or [email protected]. Reserve a seat by calling (502) 955-8512. The South Central Kentucky Beekeeping School will be Feb. 7 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. EST at The Northeastern Kentucky Winter Bee School, Whitley County High School, 350 Boulevard of sponsored by the Licking River Beekeeping Champions in Williamsburg. Special speaker is Association, is scheduled for Feb. 28 from 9 a.m.-3 Dr. Tom Webster of Kentucky State University. p.m. EST at Maysville Community and Technical Preregistration is $15, and admission at the door College, 1755 U.S. Highway 68 in Maysville. State is $25. For more information, call the Whitley Apiarist Tammy Horn will be the special speaker. County Extension Office at (606) 549-1430. Preregistration for adults is $20, and admission at the door is $25. Children will be admitted for $7.50. Bernheim Forest near Clermont will host a Family Price includes lunch and refreshments. Preregister 3

by emailing [email protected] by Feb. 23.

Food and Environment website. The publication includes reports on small fruits and grapes, tree The Audubon Bee School will be March 7 fruits, vegetables, and hops. Reports include a at 8:45 a.m. CST at the Henderson County kohlrabi variety evaluation; a rabbiteye blueberry Extension Education & Expo Center, 3341 Zion variety trial; and reports from on-farm commercial Road in Henderson. Opening speaker will be vegetable demonstrations, plus much more. The former State Apiarist Phil Craft. Preregister report is available online as a PDF at http://www2. for $15, which includes lunch, by emailing ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/PR/PR688/PR688.pdf. [email protected] or calling (270) 339-7245. Cost is $20 at the door. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted for $5.

High tunnel video online

A video introducing the Center for Crop Diversification’s High Tunnel Webinar Series is now available for viewing. High and Low Tunnel Options for Season Extension was produced by Brian Volland at The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Agricultural Communications Services. The video features several of the speakers who will participate in the webinar series. To see the video, click here. Webinars will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-7:45 p.m. EST, from February OAK to offer slate of field days 17th through March 24th. For detailed descriptions of the webinars, go to http://www.uky.edu/ for farmers and consumers Ag/CCD/High_Tunnel_Webinars_Descriptions. FARMERS: You don’t have to be certified organic pdf. For the webinar series flyer and registration to learn best practices with farm visits and experts information, go to http://www.uky.edu/Ag/ CCD/High_Tunnel_Webinars_Flyer.pdf. in the field. The Bluegrass Beekeepers School will be March 7 at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. Welcome and keynote speaker will be University of Kentucky entomology professor Dr. Subba Reddy Palli. The American Honey Queen will attend and teach classes. Preregistration will begin in January and conclude Feb. 28 at $25 per adult and $10 per child. Registration at the door will be $35 per adult and $15 per child. For more information, contact Phil Clark at [email protected].

The Organic Association of Kentucky is excited to offer a full schedule of field days in 2015, starting with High Tunnel Success on February 19th at the Kentucky State University Third Thursday Thing in Frankfort. Field days, which will be offered throughout the year, include growing transplants, row crops, and weed management. Find OAK’s field day schedule and updates here.

High Tunnel Webinar Schedule • February 17 — Season Extension Opportun- ities & EQIP Funding • February 24 — Structure Options, Con- struction, Ventilation & Temperature Control • March 3 — Organic Certification & Market- ing High Tunnel Crops • March 10 — Crop, Irrigation & Equipment Options • March 17 — Insect, Weed & Disease Control • March 24 — Producer Views & Series Wrap- up

CONSUMERS: OAK will also offer “field days” of interest to consumers, where they will learn more about organic product availability, shopping and preparation. And OAK’s annual conference, set for March 6-7 in Shepherdsville, will feature its first consumer-oriented education track.

2014 Fruit and Vegetable Research MarketReady training coming up Report now available online

The 2014 Fruit and Vegetable Research Report A MarketReady training will be held at the (PR-688) from the University of Kentucky is Shelby County Extension Office on February 18th now available on the College of Agriculture, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The MarketReady Producer 4

Training Program is for those interested in selling products to restaurants, grocers/wholesalers/ retailers, and schools/institutions. MarketReady will provide a professional marketing education to improve sales relationships, and get you up to speed with the latest local food programs and resources. MarketReady also offers continuing education credits for Extension agents. UK Extension Professor Tim Woods will present the curriculum. Meet buyers, chefs, and staff from the KY Department of Agriculture, KY Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, KY Small Business Development Center, and more. Registration is $25, which includes class materials, refreshments, and lunch. To register (deadline Feb. Photo by Cathy Rehmeyer 11 by 4 p.m.), contact Kevin Heidemann at (859) Venting plastic covers might require shoveling snow. 218-4383 or [email protected]. Why low tunnels?

Winter growing eBook on its way

• Inexpensive - Low tunnels cost only $0.14 $0.37/square foot (high tunnels cost $1.40/ square foot)

Get the winter growing eBook! Cathy Rehmeyer operates Four Petal Farm in Pikeville, Kentucky, offering the region’s only winter CSA. In “Garden Under Cover: Low Tunnel Winter Vegetable Production,” Cathy shares her experience growing vegetables for winter market, including an overview of the best combinations of low tunnel designs and vegetable varieties. The book discusses the methods and science behind winter growing, including low tunnel construction and management, harvest tips, and crop-by-crop discussions along with planting dates. The eBook will be available in April. To learn more, visit www.gardenundercover.com, or email Cathy at [email protected]. “Grow Low” next winter!

• Effective - protected plants to -8 F in the 2014 “Polar Vortex” • Modular - easy construction and take-down • Flexible - ideal for uneven terrain or slopes

• Efficient - breathable spun polypropylene covers don’t require venting or irrigation

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